Marine Corporal Indicted for Stealing Javelin Missile, Millions of Rounds from Camp Pendleton

Accused of running personal arms trafficking operation to sell stolen weapons and ammo in Arizona

Mar. 30, 2026 at 4:03am

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A 23-year-old Marine Corps corporal has been indicted for allegedly stealing a Javelin missile system, roughly 2 million rounds of ammunition, and other weapons from Camp Pendleton in California and selling them to two companies in his home state of Arizona. Andrew Paul Amarillas, an ammunition technician specialist, is accused of exploiting his access and trust as a Marine to run a personal arms trafficking operation.

Why it matters

The scale of the alleged theft, including a sophisticated Javelin anti-tank missile, raises serious concerns about security and accountability at one of the largest Marine bases in the country. The case also highlights how stolen military-grade weapons can end up on the black market, bypassing civilian gun control measures.

The details

Amarillas is accused of bringing the stolen weapons and ammunition to Arizona and selling them to two unindicted co-conspirators, who then sold them to two Arizona companies. Investigators believe roughly 2 million rounds of M855 ammunition, a standard NATO round, went missing from the base. The Javelin missile system is one of the U.S. military's most advanced and consequential weapons, recently provided to Ukraine to combat Russian armor.

  • Amarillas enlisted in the Marines after graduating high school.
  • He was stationed at the School of Infantry-West at Camp Pendleton as an ammunition technician specialist.
  • The alleged thefts and sales took place over an unspecified period before being discovered.

The players

Andrew Paul Amarillas

A 23-year-old Marine Corps corporal and native of Glendale, Arizona, who worked as an ammunition technician specialist at Camp Pendleton and is accused of stealing weapons and ammunition to sell on the black market.

Camp Pendleton

One of the largest Marine Corps bases in the United States, located in California, where Amarillas allegedly stole the weapons and ammunition.

Two unindicted co-conspirators

Individuals who allegedly served as middlemen, purchasing the stolen weapons and ammunition from Amarillas in Arizona and reselling them to two companies.

Two Arizona companies

Businesses that allegedly purchased the stolen military weapons and ammunition from the unindicted co-conspirators.

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What’s next

Federal prosecutors are continuing their investigation, and it is unclear if the two unindicted co-conspirators will face charges or if the investigation will expand to the two Arizona companies that allegedly purchased the stolen weapons and ammunition.

The takeaway

This case highlights serious security and accountability issues at one of the largest Marine bases in the country, where a single corporal allegedly stole a Javelin missile system and millions of rounds of ammunition to sell on the black market. It underscores how stolen military-grade weapons can bypass civilian gun control measures and end up in dangerous hands.